69传媒

School & District Management A National Roundup

Anne Arundel County, Md., 69传媒 Chief Resigns

By Catherine Gewertz 鈥 September 13, 2005 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

Eric J. Smith, who has led the Anne Arundel County, Md., schools for three years, said last week he would leave the district superintendency on Nov. 23.

Mr. Smith has accepted a one-year position at Harvard University鈥檚 graduate school of education as a visiting superintendent-in-residence, a spokesman for the school said.

The superintendent said in a statement that 鈥渞ecent public disputes鈥 have created 鈥渁 considerable distraction鈥 from his work in the 75,000-student school district and contributed to his decision to leave. Mr. Smith has overseen an increase in student test scores, his spokesman noted, and an expansion of more-rigorous coursework.

An audit of the district鈥檚 human-resources department, released in early August, questioned some bonuses and pay raises, and suggested that scores of district employees might not have had proper criminal-records checks performed before starting work.

Around the same time, a survey of Anne Arundel teachers showed widespread unhappiness with Mr. Smith鈥檚 leadership. But a district poll of parents, teachers, and central-office personnel, released in May, showed that most were content with the district.

Mr. Smith, 55, gained a national reputation for improving student achievement as the superintendent of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district in North Carolina from 1995 to 2002. (鈥淎gent of Change,鈥 July 9, 2003.)

A version of this article appeared in the September 14, 2005 edition of Education Week

Events

School & District Management Webinar Crafting Outcomes-Based Contracts That Work for Everyone
Discover the power of outcomes-based contracts and how they can drive student achievement.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in 69传媒
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by 
School & District Management Webinar EdMarketer Quick Hit: What鈥檚 Trending among K-12 Leaders?
What issues are keeping K-12 leaders up at night? Join us for EdMarketer Quick Hit: What鈥檚 Trending among K-12 Leaders?

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide 鈥 elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

School & District Management Reports Strategic Resourcing for K-12 Education: A Work in Progress
This report highlights key findings from surveys of K-12 administrators and product/service providers to shed light on the alignment of purchasing with instructional goals.
School & District Management Download Shhhh!!! It's Underground Spirit Week, Don't Tell the 69传媒
Try this fun twist on the Spirit Week tradition.
Illustration of shushing emoji.
iStock/Getty
School & District Management Opinion How My Experience With Linda McMahon Can Help You Navigate the Trump Ed. Agenda
I have a lesson for district leaders from my (limited) interactions with Trump鈥檚 pick for ed. secretary, writes a former superintendent.
Joshua P. Starr
4 min read
Vector illustration of people walking on upward arrows, symbolizing growth, progress, and teamwork towards success.
iStock/Getty Images
School & District Management Opinion How Social-Emotional Learning Can Unify Your School Community: 7 Timely Tips
It鈥檚 a stressful political season. These SEL best practices can help school leaders weather the unpredictable transitions.
Maurice J. Elias
4 min read
Modern digital collage of caring leader surrounded by positivity. Social Emotional learning leadership.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva